Quote:
Originally Posted by FastMover
I would be interested in knowing about the little things like rattles, squeaks, service annoyances, controls placement and other things that are typically discovered only after purchasing. I would also like to know the subtle variances in the FEH/MMH packages, ,,, and are they worth it. The Highlander has only a few trim variations, so its easier to sort them out.
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Here are my "nits", some of which I mentioned above. They are all minor things and don't mind them (but I do notice them).
The wipers are on the turn signal stalk where you twist to turn them on, and there is no "single wipe" by pulling the lever, you need to twist and twist back. This annoyed me greatly at first but now I have it dialed--although I occasionally turn on the headlights on the HCH when I mean to wipe because it's the same motion. Anyone coming from a Japanese or European car will find this annoying--I don't know why Ford keeps doing this.
The sun roof doesn't have an automatic open/close with one button--you have to hold the button all the way through the process. On the positve side, you can open it partially which you can't usually when it's automatic.
The automatic opening rear glass from the key fob is awesome, but you will get your fingers dirty closing it whereas the heavier, pricier HiHy Limited has a power gate that you never need to touch.
Folding the seats flat is a three step procedure. Take the head rests off, lift the cusion and then fold. The Hi was a one step as I recall.
The lock and unlock buttons on the fob are identical in feel and location so I have to look at the key to unlock. Eventually I will remember which side locks and which side unlocks. Also, when you unlock, the turn signals don't flash. This is probably a safety feature of some sort, but I can't tell when I'm actually unlocking unless I'm close enough to hear it. However, in the dark, the headlights will light up when you unlock--weird.
I have one rattle in the passenger side door which I will have them look at when I have the first oil change done.
The gas tank doesn't lock. I'm not too worried about syphoners, but if any of my friends knew about this, I could see them pouring extra gas into the tank just to screw with me.
You could always buy an old school locking gas cap if you were worried.
I never been in an FEH, but one difference I know of is that the MMH has a keypad on the driver's door with a combination and the FEH doesn't. This ROCKS! You will never lock your keys in the car (unless you want to which I sometimes do so I don't need to carry them) and my passengers can get in the car on ski trips without me needing to give them the key.
Hopefully this doesn't come across too negative because other than the HCH (which is perfect
), I've got a similar list of nits about every car I've ever owned.